Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING MAY 2018 50 TRADE EVENTS falls slightly below the ¥8,000 fee Komeito had been pushing for but is well above the LDP’s proposed ¥2,000. With many of those basics now sorted, this year’s Japan Gaming Summit will focus on four central themes: • IR NON-GAMING AMENITIES: Incorporating entertainment into IRs, how to facilitate an international market and taking a global perspective. • IR ECONOMICS: A look into the opportunities for local businesses and communities and the economic impact on Japan versus the rest of Asia. • INNOVATING TOURISM: Selecting, financing and building in the right location, and supplier conversations. • IR – A VISION FOR THE FUTURE: A look into new technologies, how to capitalize on the gaming culture, payment systems and crypto currencies. The Congress will also feature the return of the “Operator Vision” series of presentations in which senior representatives from many of the leading contenders for a Japan gaming license will provide insights into how their Japan IRs might look. Among those scheduled to speak are the CEO of MGM Japan Ed Bowers and President of Wynn Resorts Development Chris Gordon, while Galaxy Entertainment Group’s Michael Mecca and the Chairman and CEO of Galaxy partner Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, Jean-Luc Biamonti, will host a joint presentation. Melco Resorts & Entertainment, SJM Holdings and Caesars Entertainment Corp are also scheduled to present their Operator Vision. More than just another conference, the 2018 Japan Gaming Congress will also represent the last time Japan’s key casino industry stakeholders gather in the one place before the bidding for a license begins in earnest. That alone is worth the price of admission. The Congress will feature the return of the “Operator Vision” series of presentations in which senior representatives from many of the leading contenders for a Japan gaming license will provide insights into how their Japan IRs might look. The venue for this year’s JgC , Conrad Tokyo, overlooks Hamarikyu Gardens.